Spring wheel



May22,1945 H. L HARRI l 2,376,592

SPRING WHEEL Filed Nov. l2, 1942 Patented May 22, 1945 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE SPRING WHEEL Henry Levene Harris, Prichard, Ala. vApplication November 12, 1942', serial No. 465,375

3 Claims.

My invention relates to automotive vehicles and other types of carriersrequiring resilient wheels, and has among its objects and advantages theprovision of an improved spring wheel.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a side view of a wheel partly in section illustrating myinvention.

Figure 2 is` a View illustrating the manner in which resilient spokesare conditioned for connection with the hub and rim parts of the wheel.

Figure 3 is a sectional Vdetail view illustrating a spoke tensioningadjustment, and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view of a spring wheel structure inassociation with a pneumatic tire. I

In the embodiment of the invention selected for illustration, Figure 1illustrates a metallic rim I0 of hollow formation and supplied with asuitable ller l2. An inflating valve I4 is also provided in the eventthat air is to be supplied to the rim.

The rim IU is resiliently connected with the hub structure I6 throughthe medium of spokes I8. These spokes are generally U-shaped in contourwhen viewed according to Figure 1 and each comprises a spring 20 and ashorter stiffening spring 22 held in assembly therewith by' encirclingclips 24.

To both ends of the springs 20 are attached bodies 26 each having athreaded stud 28. The studs 28 of each spring are reversely threaded sothat the studs may be threaded into the bores 30 in the hub structure I6and the socket 32 in the rim l through rotation of the springassemblies.

Figure 2 illustrates the manner in which the spokes I8 are bent tofacilitate connection with the rim and the hub structure. A turnbuckle34 is provided with hooks 36 insertable in eyes 38 j on the spokes.'Ihese eyes are xedly attached to the springs 20. The turnbuckle isshortened to bend the spring sufliciently far to permit 4the studs 28.to be brought into axial alignment with the bores 30 and the sockets 32.The turnbuckle is then lengthened gradually to aid in establishing athreaded connection between the studs and their respective threadedopenings. The spokes are rotated for turning the studs 28 home and tobring the bodies 26 into frictional engagement with the rim and the hubstructure.

The tension of the spokes may be changed through adjustment oftensioning studs 40 threaded into sockets 42 in the rim I0. These studsare spaced short distances from the bodies 26 attached to the rim endsof the spokes. Lock nuts 44 are connected with the studs 40 forfrictional engagement with the rim I0.

The rim lIll is provided with at least two radial screws d6 threadedlyconnected with tubes 48 providing radial openings through the inner faceof the rim. These tubes are slidable in tubes 50 terminating in flaredopenings or recesses 52 in the outer face of the rim. A traction lug54is attached to the outer ends of the screws 46 and are normally housedin the recesses 52 but may be projected to traction positions throughrotation of the screws 46.

Screws 56 extend loosely through openings 58 in the springs 2,0 and arethreaded into the studs di). The screws 56 perform bracing functions, aswhen the wheel is in a sharp bend and when running over rough roads.

Figure 4 illustrates a pneumatic tire 66 mounted on a rim 62 detachablyconnected with an inner rim 64 with which bowed springs 66 areconnected. These springs may be identical with the springs i8. f

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully explain myinvention, that others may, by applying current knowledge, readily adaptthe same for use under various conditions of service.

I` claim:

1`. A spring wheel comprising a rim, a hub structure, bowed resilientspokes connecting the rim with the hub structure, adjustable screwscarried by the rim and having end engagement with the convex sides ofthe spokes for stilening the spokes, and holding screws extendingthrough openings in the spokes and threaded into said adjustable screws.

2. A spring wheel -construction comprising a rim and a hub, bowedresilient spokes interposed between the rim and hub structure, said rimand hub having radially aligned pairs of oppositely threaded openings,oppositely threaded attaching studs xed on the respective ends of eachspoke and extending perpendicularly to the spoke end portions to engageand be threaded in the openings by turning of the spokes, said spokesproviding the leverage for turning the studs.

3. A spring wheel construction comprising a rim and a hub, bowedresilient spokes interposed between the rim and hub structure, said rimand hub having radially aligned pairs of oppositely threaded openings,oppositely threaded attaching studs fixed on the respective ends of eachspoke and extending perpendicularly to the spoke end portions to engageand be threaded inthe openings by turning of the spokes, said spokesproviding the leverage for turning the studs, and tensioning screwsthreaded into sockets in the rim and engaging the spokes adjacentl theouter studs to vary the flexibility of the spokes.

HENRY LEVENE HARRIS.

